More PFOA tests exceed state levels
Two additional wells bring to 10 the number of affected properties
The PFOA/PFOS contamination in the town has led to new test results above the state permitted level, a citizens group meeting with gubernatorial representatives and a new round of community meetings in December.
The Rensselaer County Health Department reported last week that two additional wells have tested above the state levels of 10 parts per trillion for PFOA bringing to 10 the number of properties with wells that have exceeded the limit.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has provided bottled water and installed filter systems for the contaminated properties.
The county said it still has not located a source for the contamination through the five rounds of testing it has conducted. State and county agencies are considering whether there may be multiple sources of the chemicals.
The contamination became a concern after the Averill Park Central School District reported in January that water at Algonquin Middle School exceeded the state level of 10 ppt. The county has tested 89 private wells so far. The county is waiting for results on an additional 20 samples from private wells.
The county is testing for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid). PFOS has been used in stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, food packaging and other processes.
PFOA contamination has been a major issue in Rensselaer County since 2014 when municipal water supplies and private wells were found to have been contaminated by substances traced to large manufacturing facilities in Hoosick, Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh.
The Poestenkill results have been far below the levels recorded in the northeastern section of the county.
“The county continues to test residences and properties on a voluntary basis, and we continue to work to provide this information to the public as quickly as possible. The five rounds of testing have yet to reveal a source for the contamination in Poestenkill, and the review has expanded to determine whether multiple sources are involved in the Poestenkill area,” said county Public Health Director Mary Fran Wachunas.
On Thursday morning, Judith Enck, a former Region 2 administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Poestenkill Councilman Eric Wohlleber — both mem
bers of the steering committee of Concerned Citizens for Clean Drinking Water — met with members of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration to discuss their concerns of PFOA/PFAS contamination in the town.
“I am hopeful that Governor Hochul and her administration are taking this issue seriously, and (are) committed to ensuring a more open and transparent approach between DEC, DOH (state Department of Health), and local residents,” Wohlleber said.
“To date, the DEC and DOH are failing the residents of Poestenkill and wasting time, resources, and New York state taxpayer dollars while these officials are still not looking for the source of the contamination.”
Sean Mahar, DEC chief of staff, said responding to contamination is a priority.
“Our experts are working directly with the county and the town in a coordinated, sciencebased approach to investigate this issue and take immediate action to protect public health. We have extensive work underway in this community to evaluate potential sources and look forward to providing further updates to the community at our information session on Dec. 8,” Mahar said.
“In the meantime, community residents should contact us directly with any questions about the comprehensive response and investigation underway.”
The county Health Department, DEC and the state DOH previously announced they will hold public sessions from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Algonquin Middle School to discuss efforts to protect drinking water and the PFOA/PFAS investigation that is being conducted.